There are dozens of campgrounds located on sandy beaches both north and south of town and San Felipe offers a few nice hotels. Basic services such as gasoline, ice, beer and food are plentiful in the various markets located throughout San Felipe.

One of San Felipe's claims to fame is the extreme tidal changes. When the tide goes out here it goes w-a-y out! This makes for excellent beachcombing but makes launching a boat more of a planned event than a random act.

The weather in San Felipe is warm most of the year and very hot in summer. Fortunately the Sea of Cortez is never too far away for a refreshing dip. Strolling along the seafront walkway at night is a great way to enjoy the evenings all year long.

Speaking of food, if you haven't had a fish taco in San Felipe, put it up on top of your "to do" list when in town. The fish taco craze that has been catching the world by storm started right here on the waterfront in San Felipe. They are delicious!

The beaches south of San Felipe run uninterrupted for almost 50 miles to Puertecitos. There are hundreds of vacation homes located right on the beach, all the way south to PUERTECITOS. Most of these homes are located in 'Campos' which provide some sense of community in this otherwise desolate stretch of Baja.

There is one small "oasis" of sorts about 20 miles south of San Felipe at Km. 35. SOUTH CAMPO'S COMMUNITY CENTER is not much to look at when you are headed down the highway at 60 m.p.h., but upon closer inspection this little rest stop has plenty to offer.

The second area that has grown with homes is the coastal strip south of San Felipe towards Puertecitos. Beachfront paradise!

San Felipe weather is great all year long, if not a bit hot in summer (90-110 degrees). In the winter the temperature usually gets into the 70's almost every day and in summer it is not unusual to hit 100 degrees (or more). But it's a dry heat!

San Felipe was one of the final locations that Carlos Fiesta cruised by on his 2,200 mile BAJA CIRCUMNAVIGATION!

Thinking about moving south of the border? Visit the web site of BAJA RELOCATION for a head's up for what awaits you.

If you would like to see what San Felipe looks like FROM SPACE check it out!

THE GRINGO FACTOR

Because of it's close proximity to the U.S. border (about 3 hours) San Felipe's gringo population grows on weekends and holidays. Most of these visitors head for either the beach campgrounds north of town, the hotels near the waterfront in downtown San Felipe or to privately owned vacation homes that run from south of San Felipe all the way to PUERTECITOS. San Felipe is also a main stop for gingos heading 100 miles further south to spectacular BAHIA DE GONZAGA.

YOUR FIRST STOP IN TOWN

Where to go when you first get to San Felipe? First off ... head east towards the Sea of Cortez. Once you hit the Malecon (the road that runs along the ocean) find a place to park. Are you ready for a cool place to relax and grab a hot fish taco, a cold beer and set your bearings? Head for Baja Mar Seafood Restaurant, right across the street and a bit south. You can't miss it, it's a huge 2 story palapa-looking building with outdoor, indoor and upstairs dining. And the view of the Sea of Cortez is fantastic! From here it's just a short walk south to the famous Maristaco Plaza, in case you are still hungry.

THE BEST OF SAN FELIPE

San Felipe is somewhat of a casual and scruffy Baja town but it does have it's nicer elements. Visitors looking for the top end in lodging will appreciate the SAN FELIPE MARINA RESORT AND SPA just south of town. It's a first class resort on a very nice beach.
The best downtown restaurant for food with a view is the BAJA MAR SEAFOOD RESTAURANT, right on the Malecon (indoor and outdoor patio dining).
And for the best place in town to listen to great music and dance there is no better place in San Felipe than CLUB MIRAMAR across the street from San Felipe's main beach.

And if you want to avoid the usual beach crowds and have a quiet morning or afternoon on a spectacular empty beach, just have one of the pangeros on the main beach take you north about 10 minutes. There are several private and beautiful beaches below the bluffs (at low tide) that nobody knows about! Carlos Fiesta found these spectacular beaches while flying over San Felipe in the summer of 2010.

CARLOS FIESTA'S HOT TIP:Fish Taco stands used to be scattered along the entire waterfront, along the main drive in San Felipe. The sidewalk became so thick with taco stands that tourists were often forced to walk in the streets to travel the Malecon. In an effort to organize the city's pride and joy, San Felipe has set up a "Taco Central" of sorts, down on the south end of the waterfront drive, on the west side of the street. Called "Plaza Maristaco" this area boasts the same taco stands that have satisfied hungry hombres for years (18 at last count)! In addition, there are still various taco stands scattered around town. You haven't had a real fish taco until you've had one (or two, or three, etc.) in San Felipe! "Grazing" from stand to stand to find the best fish taco is not only acceptable, it is a tradition. These stands also offer shrimp tacos, beef tacos, seafood cocktails, and a host of other fine culinary delights!

A second choice for your "First Stop" is the ocean view deck at the front of Rockodile. The 4 tables on the deck are the perfect place to check it all out and have a cold one!

Web

www.mexicoexpo.com

www.bajaexpo.com

www.caboexpo.com

Many of the activities in and around San Felipe take place at the beach.
The beaches start well north of town, where the once mighty Colorado River
drained into the Sea of Cortez. Good beaches continue south, through San
Felipe, and all the way down to Puertecitos.

For a fun day at the beach away from the crowds, head south of San Felipe to Km. 13. Punta Estrella Beach Club offers 2.5 miles of beautiful beaches and parking.

For a detailed list of San Felipe beaches, check out the SAN FELIPE CAMPING section below.

BEACHES NORTH

There are dozens of miles of open beaches north of San Felipe, accessible
via dirt roads off of the blacktop. If you are looking for desolation, these
definitely fit the bill! For more information on these beaches check out our extensive CAMPING section!

And if you want to avoid the usual beach crowds and have a quiet morning or afternoon on a spectacular empty beach, just have one of the pangeros on the main beach take you north about 10 minutes. There are several private and beautiful beaches below the bluffs that nobody knows about! Carlos Fiesta found these spectacular beaches while flying over San Felipe in the summer of 2005.

PLAYA BONITA

Just north of Punta San Felipe (the big hill at the north end of town)
there are a few small beaches tucked away. It's a bit more laid back than
the main beaches in town.

PLAYA SAN FELIPE

The main beach in town always seems to have something going on, either
in the water, on the sand, or on the waterfront.
A good place to hang and
watch the action. Bathrooms are located at both the north end and the south end.
Watch for the occassional dead fish on the sand at low tides.

BEACHES SOUTH

From the main beaches in town all the way south to Punta Estrella and
beyond, Baja travelers will find over 50 miles of beaches, all the way to
Puertecitos. Bring ice.

PLAYA HOTEL MARINA

Located just south of the large fishing marina at the south end of town.
Wide, beautiful, usually empty.
The palapas on the higher end of the beach are for hotel guests.
Go ahead...try to sneak into the pool at the Marina Hotel. I dare you!

PLAYA PUNTA ESTRELLA

Telephone 011-52 (686) 565-2784.
U.S. telephone (760) 357-6933.
South of San Felipe to Km. 13.
Approximately 7 miles south of town.
Punta Estrella Beach Club offers 2.5 miles of beautiful beaches, parking.

PLAYA CAMPO CHRISTINA

Approximately 9 miles south of town.
Beautiful beach with camping, a restaurant and bar.

THE "CAMPOS" AND BEACHES SOUTH

Starting approximately 18 miles south of San Felipe, a series of "Campos" (camps) line the Sea of Cortez for dozens of miles, south towards Puertecitos. These campos are basically clusters of homes on or near the coast, easily accessible off of the main Baja Highway headed south. Even if you don't own one of these hideaways, you can find value in their existence. The roads leading to these various campos usually provide easy access to the beaches along this coast, and are generally in good shape. The campos themselves are generally owned and operated by local Mexican families, who are usually happy to let you traverse their property to access the Sea of Cortez. Since all beaches in Mexico are open to the public, these campos are a great way to get down to the sand all along the coast south of San Felipe.

Looking for a deserted beach? Head south of town to the dirt turn offs at km. 17, 18 and 26. Now you are all alone!

CAMPO SANTA MARIA

Located just off the blacktop at Km. 30.5.
Once of San Felipe's closest campos also happens to hold the distinction of being one of the best. This first class collection of homes is located on two sides of a beautiful bay, and south as well.
Most of the homes are newer, very nice, and built with conforming materials to add to the aesthetics.
The beaches here are wide and beautiful, and the bay provides good claming at low tide.
Getting to the homes on the north end of the bay can be challenging at high tide, but access to the south end is usually pretty easy.
Keep in mind that this area is privately owned, and that registering at the entrance is sometimes required.

CAMPO MAYMA

Located right past Bahia Santa Maria, at Km. 31 off the blacktop.
Located about one half mile east of the highway, Campo Mayma is a small collection of well-kept homes, connecting on the north end with Campo Santa Maria.
The beach is very nice, and it's just a short walk to the tidal flats of Santa Maria Bay to the north.

NUEVO MAZATLAN

Just east of the highway at Km. 32.
This beach is located between Campo Mayma to the north, and La Jolla to the south.
It's a good beach, although at low tide there are rocks exposed in the surf area.

CAMPO LA JOLLA

Off of the highway at Km. 32.5.
A very quiet beach with homes on the bluffs, very similar to Nuevo Mazatlan.
Food and drinks can be obtained a few miles to the south on the main road, on the west side of the street.

Nowhere else on the Baja peninsula are so many campgrounds available to the
traveler!

Most campgrounds north and south of San Felipe
are very basic in nature, although there are a few that offer extra amenities, such as EL DORADO RANCH. El Dorado Ranch is, without question, the only first class campground in the San Felipe area. The fact that it is affordable makes it that much more enticing! A great place to pitch a tent or hook up the R.V!

Running from

NORTH TO SOUTH

...here's a sampling of what's available.

CAMPO SAN MARINO

Twelve miles north of town at Km. 172.5.
This is the first in a long list of campos located along the Sea of Cortez, all the way down to San Felipe.
There are about 20 more camps to choose from if you want to get closer to town!

CAMPO DON ABEL

11 miles north of San Felipe at Km. 173.
A new campground trying to lure customers who want to avoid the crowds closer to town.
Basic beach, clean, usually empty except for big weekends.

PLAYA JACARANDAS

SAN DIEGO BEACH

PLAYA BONITA

Telephone 011-52 (686) 577-1215.
U.S. (626) 967-8977.
Avenida de Golfo #784, San Felipe, Baja California, Mexico.
Near town on the north side, next to Ruben's.
Number of spaces: 32.
On the beach / full hook-ups / concrete pads / palapas / flush toilets /
hot showers / BBB's / on the beach!

RUBEN'S RV PARK

Telephone / Fax 011-52 (686) 577-1442.
Avenida Golfo de California #703, San Felipe, Baja California, Mexico.
Just north of Punta San Felipe.
Number of sites: 65.
Pull through sites / full hook-ups / terraces with ocean views / picnic tables / BBB's / flush
toilets / hot showers / big restaurant / large bar / mini-market / boat launching / good beach / active.
This is a Baja favorite for many, and for a good reason! It is located on a very nice beach, the restaurant is large and very nice, and there is always a good group of Baja aficionados close by to strike up a conversation with!
Late sleepers beware! The fishermen get started pretty early on this beach!

CAMPO SAN FELIPE

Telephone 011-52 (686) 577-1012.
Avenida Mar de Cortez #301, San Felipe, Baja California, Mexico.
Located right next to Costa Azul Hotel.
Number of sites: 34.
If you are looking for a camping area within a very short walk to the shops, restaurants, and fish taco stands...this is a great choice. It is the closest to all the action, and it is located right on a wide beach!
Beach front sites / full hook-ups / ice / recreation room / restaurant "Banditos" right out front.
The perfect place to hang your hat in San Felipe!

PLAYA DE LAURA CAMPING AND RV

Telephone 011-52 (686) 577-1128.
Near town at Avenida Mar de Cortez #333, San Felipe, Baja California, Mexico.
Just south of Costa Azul Hotel.
Number of sites: 44.
Full hook-ups / palapas / toilets / showers / ice.
Next to Campo San Felipe this is the second closest location to all of the downtown action.

LA JOLLA

POSADA DEL MAR CAMPO

Telephone 011-52 (686) 577-1543.
Avenida Golfo de California #555, San Felipe, Baja California, Mexico.
Located on the north end of town.
Number of sites: 65.
Full hook-ups / toilets / showers / picnic tables / BBB's / across the street from the beach.

PLAYA PUNTA ESTRELLA

Telephone 011-52 (686) 565-2784.
U.S. telephone (760) 357-6933.
U.S. fax (760) 768-8803.
South of San Felipe to Km. 13.
Approximately 7 miles south of town.
Punta Estrella Beach Club offers 2.5 miles of beautiful beaches, parking.

RANCHO PERCEBU

The waters off of San Felipe offer fairly good fishing, although the quality
does improve as one heads further south. Fishing also improves at the small
island seen offshore, called Roca Consag.

Local fish include bass, sierra,
triggerfish, and further offshore lucky fishermen might find yellowtail
and corvina.

Because of it's close proximity to the border, many visitors
to this area trailer in their own boats. For those who do not have the time
or ability to BYOB, fishing charters are readily available in town.

TONY REYES SPORTFISHING

For a town so famous for tourists, San Felipe is a bit short on high quality
accommodations. This is partially because most people visiting this part
of Baja are not looking for anything too fancy. Where the Cabo crowd demands
rooms with color TV and telephones in each room, most of the Felipe crowd
seems content just to have running water and a pillow. Still, for those
who must have a some luxury, San Felipe does offer a few nice hotels.

San Felipe hotels, listed as the nicest first and working down from there:

SAN FELIPE MARINA RESORT AND SPA

Telephone 011-52 (686) 577-1455.
Toll free (800) 262-4500 * (800) 291-5397.
Fax 011-52 (686) 577-1566.
Km. 4.5 Carretera, San Felipe Aeropuerto, San Felipe, Baja California, Mexico.
South of town 3 miles, on the beach!
Number of rooms: 60.
Rooms and 8 private villas.
On the beach.
Hotel amenities: 2 pools / beach palapas / grass area / deck / lighted tennis / fitness center / sauna / club house / restaurant Las Dunas / bar El Sahuaro / market / private parking / separate RV Park.
Room amenities: Large rooms / private patios / air conditioning / kitchenettes / telephones / room service.
Rooms are either on the ground floor (beachfront) or on the second floor (ocean view).
The nicest place to stay in San Felipe...big rooms with huge views! Quiet atmosphere and a great beach.
For a special getaway try Villa #138. This private bungalow sits right on the beach with no adjoining rooms, and features it's own private patio and sunken Jacuzzi. A great place for a margarita party!

COSTA AZUL HOTEL

Telephone 011-52 (686) 577-1702 * 011-52 (686) 577-1548.
Fax 011-52 (686) 577-1549 * 011-52 (686) 576-3991.
Avenida Mar de Cortez, San Felipe, Baja California, Mexico.
Located on the south end of town on the main beach at Mar de Cortez.
Number of rooms: 140.
Rooms and suites.
On the beach.
Hotel amenities: Pool / swim up bar / bar / volleyball / shops / huge oceanfront party deck / ocean front restaurant / private parking / market across the street.
Room amenities: Air conditioning / satellite television / telephones.
If you are looking for an above average hotel in a super convenient location to downtown action, this is it!

EL PESCADOR MOTEL

Telephone 011-52 (686) 577-1328 * 011-52 (686) 577-1183.
Calz. Chetumal and Avenida Mar de Cortez.
The perfect San Felipe location, if you want to be right in the middle of all the action!
Located in central San Felipe on Chetumal at Mar de Cortez, running right through to the waterfront at Paseo Malecon.
Number of rooms: 12.
Air conditioning / beach-view patio / parking / televisions / walk to beach-shopping-bars.
The rear patio of this sleepy motel faces all the action in San Felipe! The fact that the hotel adjoins the wonderful Baja Mar Seafood Restaurant is the icing on the cake! Economy rates. Carlos Fiesta loves this little motel!
Room number 5 is the largest, has 3 beds, an ocean view and a small kitchenette area for about $65.
Carlos Fiesta stayed here on his Baja Circumnavigation trip.

If you ever wondered where the spectacular Colorado River in the U.S. finally meets the Sea of Cortez, the highway heading south from Mexicali runs within one mile of the Colorado River. At this southern location the once mighty Colorado is not much more than a slow moving pond, but it is indeed the same water that runs through Lake Powell, Lake Mead, Lake Mojave and Lake Havasu before it crosses the border into Baja east of Calexico. If you want to see the Colorado River in Baja, just turn left off of Baja Highway 5 at Km. 68 (Yurimuri exit). Go straight one half mile and then straight again on the smaller dirt road where the wider graded road forks to the right. The water you see traveled well over 1,000 miles to get here!

Like crowds? San Felipe gets plenty of them in April! The first half of April the gringo kids come down for Spring Break, and the second half of the month the Mexicans come down for Easter Vacation. Don't worry...there's room for everybody!

The Enchanted Islands south of San Felipe offer raw nature and beauty few visitors are able to experience.

LAGUNA DIABLO DRY LAKE BED

Do you ever think about what it would be like to drive a vehicle 100 miles
per hour? How about letting your 9 year old drive the family car with you
in the back seat? Or maybe being pulled behind a motorcycle with ski ropes
while riding a skateboard? The long dry lake bed north west of San Felipe
is just the place for such shenanigans. The lake bed surface is as hard
as a rock most of the year, but watch out if there has been a recent rain.

Hot Tip! In 2009 Carlos Fiesta saw a Big Horn sheep in the mountains east of this dry lake bed!

Seems like there is always some type of recreation on the calendar for
San Felipe! Between the wide open spaces of the desert, and the seemingly
never ending seas, there are lots of options for outdoor enthusiasts.

DIVING

CHARTERS MAR DE CORTEZ

JET SKIS

The calm waters of the Sea of Cortez are great for jet skis and Wave Runners! If the winds pick up...head for shore!

JET SKI RENTALS

Telephone 011-52 (686) 571-4472.
Located right off the main beach.
Call in advance for reservations!

KAYAK

San Felipe is the starting point for serious kayakers headed south to
Puertecitos, Gonzaga Bay, and for the truly brave, Bahia de los Angeles!
On the lighter side, novice kayakers can enjoy the calm waters right in
town, with a short jaunt around Punta San Felipe and back being an easy
2 hour adventure.

OFF ROAD

San Felipe is a magnet for anything with 2,3, or 4 wheels! Dirt bikes, ATV's, dune buggies, sand rails,
and anything else with wheels fits in with the San Felipe action! The terrain outside town is perfect
for cutting loose and letting the dirt fly.

In addition to the sand dunes at the south end of town and the endless miles of trails
heading in all directions, a dry lake bed north east of town adds additional off-road
options.

Closer to town, there are some very fun sand dunes at the south end of town, conveniently located just up from the hotel zone. These dunes are perfect for 4 wheel ATV's and motorcycles, but the area is not really large enough to accommodate dune buggies and sand rails.

Remember, even though most of the area around San Felipe is open land, the ecology
is affected by reckless treks by vehicles. Staying on existing dirt roads
and trails when possible is always a good idea.

Four wheel ATV's can be rented in five places in town. One shop is on the waterfront, just north of the new Fish Taco Plaza, and the others are directly behind it on the main shopping street, Avenida Mar de Cortez (south end). The quads are all lined up on the street...you can't miss them! Rates start at about $25 per hour, with discounts for longer periods.

For a totally thrilling experience try the 2-seater motorized Ultralight Glider that lands at the south end of the beach!

SAILING

The waters just off shore are excellent sailing waters. The waters in
the bay are usually pretty calm, while the prevailing winds from the north
west are easily found not too far east. Catamarans have been enjoying the
good sailing conditions here for years, and an annual sailing regatta always
brings in a good crowd. Watch out for the 'big northern' winds that sometimes
last for 3 or 4 days in Spring and Fall.

VOLLEYBALL

The main beach right in town is a good place to play volleyball, and
is close to all the necessities such as hot tacos and cold beers. For even
more convenience, Rocodile features a fun outdoor court right next to the
bar, with music pumping away all day long.

True volleyball fans won't want to miss the annual volleyball games and fiestas in ENSENADA at the Estero Beach Hotel!

WATERCRAFT

San Felipe Bay is a great spot for watercraft of all types, including
Wave Runners, Ski-Doos, Jet Skis, etc. Also, it is common to see tourists
flying along the water just offshore on a huge rubber 'banana', barely hanging
on when the tow boat hits a wake! You too can enjoy the thrill of re-aligning
your back for just a few pesos.

WINDSURFING

The waters off the main beach are usually pretty calm, and perfect for
board-head wannabe's. Around the point to the north, and further out to
sea, the waters become more exposed to the prevailing winds, and wave hopping
and lateral screaming can be fun. At low tide launching can be a chore,
as the water goes w-a-y out.

If you like seafood, your in luck in San Felipe! If you like fish tacos,
you have died and gone to heaven. San Felipe offers dining options across
the board, from small street-side taco stands, to full-on restaurants with
air conditioning, bathrooms, and fake silverware. Eating around is half
the fun of any good trip to San Felipe!

Got a few extra bucks? Do yourself a favor! If a Mariachi trio asks if you want to hear a song or two during your meal, give it strong consideration. The flavor of the food can be enhanced considerably by the music these folks share!

BAJA MAR SEAFOOD RESTAURANT

Paseo Malecon, San Felipe, Baja California, Mexico.
Located mid town, west side of the street.
You can't miss this huge 2 story restaurant...a great place for seafood plus a full bar!
Head upstairs for a great view of the beach and ocean!
The downstairs patio area now features a separate full bar at the north end!
New in town? Stop by here for your first cold drink and warm meal!

CLUB MIRAMAR RESTAURANT AND BAR

Telephone 011-52 (686) 577-1192.
Avenida Mar de Cortez #315, San Felipe, Baja California, Mexico.
Right in the midst of all the activity, accessible by the beach road or the main street.
Variety menu and a full bar, very popular.
Come back at night for more fun! The juke box cranks out everything from Clint Black to Mick Jagger, and the dance floor hops on weekends until the wee hours.
Drop by Sunday evenings after 8 p.m. and there's a good chance you'll experience the famous Club Miramar Kareoke!

EL NIDO RESTAURANT AND BAR

Telephone 011-52 (686) 577-1028.
Avenida Mar de Cortez #348, San Felipe, Baja California, Mexico.
Quarter mile south of town center, west side of the street.
Good old fashion steak house.
Plus a selection of seafood.
Full bar!

GEORGE'S

Telephone 011-52 (686) 577-1057.
Avenida Mar de Cortez #336, San Felipe, Baja California, Mexico.
West side of the street.
Seafood dinners, famous for their American breakfasts!
Also good for lunch and dinner. This place feels a little bit like a 1950's Denny's, but it's a good place to lick a plate.

ROCKODILE

Telephone 011-52 (686) 577-1219.
Paseo Malecon y Acapulco, San Felipe, Baja California, Mexico.
Smack dab in the middle of it all on the main street.
Fish tacos, hamburgers, Mexican French fries, and the famous 'tacodile'.
Grab one of the few tables on the balcony facing the Sea of Cortez!

ROSITAS RESTAURANT

Telephone 011-52 (686) 577-1770.
Malecon #262, San Felipe, Baja California, Mexico.
Located on the main oceanfront street, at the north end past Club Miramar and just across from The Bearded Clam.
Also fronts San Felipe's main shopping street, north end.
Big Menu! Lots to choose from for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Outdoor patio dining, or pleasant indoor seating. Good food...great breakfasts!
Dinner options include fresh lobster, fish, clams, soups and a whole lot more.
Visa, MasterCard and Traveler's Checks accepted. Oh ya...cash too!

LIGHT HOUSE RESTAURANT

Located at the north end of town on the bluffs.
Accessed by taking Avenida Mar de Cortez north, then the first right up the hill.
American food and Mexican food, plus a full bar.
Enjoy the view of the beach and Sea of Cortez!

EL PARIAN GERMAN / EL CAUGUE RESTAURANT

Located just south of Rockodile, on the west side of the Malecon.
You'd never know by the name, but this popular grazing ground is "taco court" of sorts, for those hungry souls who don't want to shag the two blocks to the south end of town for the larger Plaza Maristaco.
Good fish tacos, seafood cocktails, plenty of tables with a great view of the crowds and Sea of Cortez!
The large selection of baseball hats along the south wall are actually for sale!

BARS

The nightlife in San Felipe gets busy on weekends and holidays, but during the middle of the week things get a little slow.

A disco on the bluffs at the north end of the beach is sometimes open.

BEACH COMBER SPORTS BAR

Telephone 011-52 (686) 577-1383.
Malecon y Calz. Chetumal, San Felipe, Baja California, Mexico.
Located on the main corner of San Felipe, right across the street from the beach!
Two big screen TVs, lots of small TVs, always something showing (surf videos, motocross, etc.).
Pool table, darts, big bar and plenty of seating. The upstairs patio has a great view of the ocean and all of the waterfront action!
A huge new stage venue was added to handle the large crowds at Spring Break and 3 day weekends.

CLUB MIRAMAR

Telephone 011-52 (686) 577-1192.
Avenida Mar de Cortez, San Felipe, Baja California, Mexico.
Just a couple of doors north of Rockodile.
Entrances on both the beach side and the main street.
Usually not as wild as Rockodile, except on busy weekends when anything goes!
Club Miramar's clients range from local Mexicans, to college kids, and can include everything in between!
The juke box and adjoining dance floor can get active on busy nights, featuring music by everyone from Mick Jaggar to Willie Nelson.
Even if you're not in the mood to dance, Club Miramar is a fun place to pull up a cold one, and people watch!
If you stop by on Sunday evening after 8 pm there's a good chance you'll be able to grab the microphone for the famous Club Miramar Kareoke! The more you drink, the better you sound.

ROCKODILE

Telephone 011-52 (686) 577-1219.
Malecon y Acapulco, San Felipe, Baja California, Mexico.
In the middle of town, accessible from the beach street or the shopping
street.
Loud music, wild videos, two large dance floors, indoor-outdoor volleyball, everything is here to make your visit a fun one!

EL NIDO RESTAURANT AND BAR

Telephone 011-52 (686) 577-1028.
Avenida Mar de Cortez #348, San Felipe, Baja California, Mexico.
Quarter mile south of town center, west side of the street.
A full selection of tequila and a full bar selection.
Usually pretty slow...bring your own fiesta!

For a small Mexican town located in the middle of nowhere, San Felipe offers
a very good selection of shops and stores to get lost in. The main shopping
street is Avenida Mar De Cortez, and runs parallel to and just behind the
beach.

The other shopping street is Calzada Chetumal, and runs east and
west, starting at the ocean, and heading out towards the main highway.
A market on the south east corner of these two streets is a great place
to load up on essentials.

CORONA CERVESA DISTRIBUTOR

Located near the very north end of Avenida Mar de Cortez, west side of the street.
Why pay retail when you need a decent supply of cervesa? If you are buying a case or more of Corona or Pacifico, this is a good place to load up.
Don't forget, the deposit on the bottles in Mexico is almost as much as the beer itself! If you can exchange a set of empties when you buy a new case, the cost of your cervesa run will be significantly reduced.

DRUG STORE SAGRADO GRAZON

Located on the west side of Avenida Mar de Cortez, west side of the street.
Good selection, great location in the heart of town.

FARMACY BOTICA

Telephone 011-52 (686) 57-1294.
Avenida Mar de Cortez, San Felipe, Baja California, Mexico, 21850.
All the drugs you need, without the marijuana.

San Felipe is located 123 miles south of the U.S. border at Mexicali on a good paved 4 lane road. It's about a 2 hour drive. If you cross the border with less than a full tank of gas...no worries. There is a Pemex gasoline station 25 miles south of the border as you head towards San Felipe on Highway 5 (right side), another one at Km. 106 (right side) and then another one at Km. 142. There are also 5 Pemex stations in San Felipe, so getting gas is not a problem.

There is not much through traffic in San Felipe, as the paved roads ends
60 miles further south, below Puertecitos.

LOCAL AIRPORTS

Landing at San Felipe (MMSF) and need a ride into town? Francisco (Pancho) Padilla is your man. He can usually be at the airport within 20 minutes of the call. Have the airport staff give him a call before you do your Airport of Entry papers and he can usually be there at the front door of the airport when you are ready to head into town. He will also pick you up at a pre-determined time and place in town to take you back to the airport. His local number is 577-1293.

SAN FELIPE AIRPORT

LOCATION: 5 miles south of town.

SURFACE: Paved

ELEVATION: 148 FEET

RUNWAYS: 13 / 31

LENGTH: 4,900 FEET

TOWER: 118.5

FUEL: YES - 100LL.

AIRPORT OF ENTRY: YES

AIRPORT OPEN: 1500 to 0100 Zulu time daily.

COMMENTS: San Felipe is popular as an airport of entry into Baja, and for several good reasons. When Ensenada is fogged in, you can almost always count on CAVU weather in San Felipe. The airport is well maintained, has reliable fuel (usually), and the Airport of Entry two-step can usually be handled in short order. If you don't have the range to make it to Loreto (or even if you do) San Felipe is a good place to stop, stretch, and use the restroom facilities!

EL VERGEL AIRSTRIP

Located at Km. 35, south of San Felipe on the east side of the road.
One of the few Campo airstrips in northern Baja that is still operational.
Runway 21 is usually operational. This strip is not very long, and has more than it's share of sand.
There is a small restaurant and a doctors office a few hundred feet to the west on the other side of the paved road.
IMPORTANT! After landing, be sure to stop by and check in with Chuy or Jose at the main Campo house. Federales do not take lightly planes landing without checking in. Stopping at the Airport of Entry in San Felipe is a must before landing here.
Watch for a Cessna Skymaster on the ramp at the north east end of the landing strip.

BAJA BUSH PILOTS is a good web site for private pilots who want to fly the wide open spaces of Baja. Special Baja services are available for members!

BUSES

BUS DEPOT

Located on Avenida Mar Caribe, south of Calzada Chetumal and the main traffic circle. If you get to the Premix station, you've gone too far. Right (west) side of the street.Buses north to Mexicali, and northwest to Ensenada and Tijuana.

CAR RENTAL

HARBOR

SAN FELIPE MARINA

The main marina is located a couple of miles south of town, and is used
mainly for fishing and shrimp boats. Dropping the hook just off the main
beach usually works well for the day, however sailors needing a place to
hole up for an evening might do best to check with the port captain for
a space in the marina.

GASOLINE

There are 5 PEMEX stations in San Felipe. One is on the road
heading into town, on the right side at the circular intersection, the other
is on the main road heading south from town, on the right side. Both offer
fuel on a regular basis.

TAXIS

San Felipe is not a big town, and most people walk the majority of the
time. Still, if you happen to be staying in a hotel just outside town, it
can be fun to take a taxi into town. Prices are only a few dollars, and
it's easy to find a taxi for the return trip when you're finished.

If you need to arrange a taxi ride in advance you can contact Francisco below.

TAXI 93

Telephone 011-52 (686) 577-1293.
Avenida Mar Tirreno #412, San Felipe, Baja California, Mexico.
Francisco (Pancho) Padilla will take you for a ride at a decent price.
Drinking beer in the cab is no problema!

TOURS

Not crazy about the idea of heading down to San Felipe in your own vehicle? No problem! There are companies that would enjoy the opportunity to put together the 'whole enchilada' for you, including the ride down.

BANAMEX

BANCOMER

Located downtown, on the west side of Avenida Mar de Cortez, just south of Chetumal.
ATM available.
Closed at night.

POST OFFICE

Mar Blanco, one block south of Calzada Chetumal.

TELEPHONE

Did you or an immediate family member just win the Lotto? If so, you'll have no problem paying the outrageous prices of the telephones scattered around town with the signs saying "Call Collect". These gangsters charge $25 U.S. for the first minute, then $4.50 for each additional minute. If you place any value on your hard earned money, head to the phones at the pharmacy on the main street "Botica Lety" at the south end of town. International calls can be paid with cash or pesos, or you can charge your call to your ATT calling card. Fax machines are also available. The rates here are very affordable.

E-MAIL

E-mail and Internet access can be found at CONEXSIONES at #138 Avenida Mar de Cortez (next to the Thrifty's Ice Cream shop) and the small Internet shop of THE NET further south past the Cortez Hotel on the east side of the street (telephone 011-52-657-7-1600).

CITY SERVICES

San Felipe real estate is slow but not dead, down the coast to Puertecitos. There are two distinct
areas where vacation homes are popular here. The first area is right near
town, mostly near the beaches just north and south of San Felipe's main
beach.

Information about the oceanfront community being built north of San Felipe can be reviewed on the web site of EL DORADO RANCH.

The second area that has exploded with homes over the last few years
is the coastal areas south of Punta Estrella, just below of San Felipe.
From this point south, for about 50 miles, there are hundreds of homes built
right on the beach, just above the high tide line on the Sea of Cortez.
The close proximity to the U.S. border makes this a great location for a
getaway casa!

Thinking about moving south of the border? Visit the web site of BAJA RELOCATION for a head's up for what awaits you.

REAL ESTATE BROKERS AND DEVELOPEMENTS

Organized real estate finally heating up in San Felipe. There are a few small real estate companies in town who seem to specialize in what's
for sale, and another place to track down local properties for sale is in the local bars.
Although any bar in town will do, your chances of obtaining good information
increases considerably with the number of people who happen to be in the
bar when at the time you walk in.